Despite having the highest level of youth unemployment in the UK Lewisham Council has proposed scrapping its Connexions contract before a replacement careers advice service has been created. Nearly 36 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds in Lewisham were out of work last year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Sir Steve Bullock, was last week considering a recommendation to save £1.5 million by ending its contract with the company which provides its Connexions youth advice service. The council will expect schools and colleges to give careers advice to their students, while it retains a £1.2 million service focusing solely on unemployed teenagers who have given up studying.
Under-19s, or under-24s with learning disabilities, will continue to have access to a personal adviser, the council said.
The Council intends to continue its own eight-week programme for Neets (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), which involves presentation and interview training, personal development, volunteering and an Outward Bound course.
Other cost saving proposals include:
- Council housing rents rise by 5%
- School meals go up from £1.60 to £2 by 2013
- Subsidies for nursery places cut by up to 40%
- Prices for parking and residents’ permits increase
- Rise of 50p for meals-on-wheels
- Weekly charge for adult social care services up from £290 to £395
You can find out more and watch the webcast on the Council’s website.
